DIGA Module Title & Overview :

2. The Role and Use of Digital Technologies and their benefits to Business

This module seeks to clearly identify the benefits to business in establishing an integrated digital strategy. By exploring the potential of particular tools through scenarios that explore good practice, this module will introduce the range and variety of digital solutions and explore how they support business growth and development.

Duration: 4 hours

DIGA Module Overall Objective:

This module will introduce and familiarize students with the vast array of digital technologies and tools that exist and will clearly articulate the potential and benefit of using enhanced ICT/digital competence and or tools to support sustained business success/growth.On completion of this module, successful learners as ETE professionals) will be able to:

1. Illustrate knowledge of a range of tools and their potential benefits to business, within an integrated strategy

2. Demonstrate the functionality of the (various) tools in order to how they can benefit the entrepreneur increasing sales, business efficiencies and being more competitive

3. Determine the advantages and disadvantages of the various online media options and platforms for inclusion in a suitable digital media strategy

4. Empathize with the learner and their context of ICT (barriers; fears; lack of understanding) through clear understanding of functionality of (various) tools

5. Articulate the potential and benefit of a strategic use of (various) digital tools

6. Demonstrate a practical understanding of the issues inherent with 7 Digital Competences.

Timing Content / topic Activity (Facilitator & Learner) Resources

15 mins Introduction to Module 2

Facilitator:- Present yourself- Short presentation of

Module content, its objectives and expected results/outputs for learner.

- Ask participants to sign attendance sheet

- Present working policy to the group; direct participants to toilet facilities and fire exits

- Warm up participants and create group dynamic with group exercise

- Present importance of using digital technology in business

Learner:- Sign attendance sheet- Listen, discuss

- ice breaker- attendance register- computer, beamer,

internet- ppt presentation- training material- sources for further

information (Strategic Forum on Digital Entrepreneurship, Fueling Digital Entrepreneurship in Europe - background paper; The role and use of digital technologies – empirical study)

1

20 mins Key concepts Facilitator:- Present most important

points of the topic (Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?)

Learners:- Listen, discuss

- all materials of the module (summary)

- computer, beamer, internet

- ppt presentation- training material

75 mins Digital Tools and their benefits for business: 6 business

functions (HR/staffing, finance, marketing & sales, process & operations, support & network, strategy & development)

Digital tools and their functions

How can digital tools benefit business functions?

Facilitator:- Introduce the 6 business

functions- Facilitate Post-it task (writing

tools on post-it and placing to the business function on poster)

- Present additional tools not identified during the post-it task

- Facilitate discussion about different tools and how they can benefit each area of business (in connection with the post-it task)

- Provide support and feedback

Learner:- Listen, discuss, cooperate - Identify tools he/she knows

and reflects on benefits- Ask questions, discuss,

exchange experiences in the topic

- DIGA Digital Data Gathering table

- case examples- computer, beamer,

internet- Flip chart- ppt presentation- training material- links to online solutions

(SI: Si.Mobil – Popolna pisarna)

- sources for further information (http://www.spiceworks.com/marketing/10-benefits-smbs-realize-digital-marketing-strategy; White paper: Employee Focused Digital Media; White paper: What is multichannel communications)

40 mins Connecting tools with digital competence: 7 areas of

digital competence

Importance of digital tools in relation with digital competence

Facilitator:- Repeat in short the 7 areas

of digital competence (refresh the topic from Module 1)

- Facilitate discussion in groups on how the tools address the areas of digital competence

- Sum up the importance of digital tools in relation with digital competence

Learner:- Listen, discuss, cooperate- Participate in the group work- Ask questions, discuss,

exchange experiences in the topic

- group exercise - world café format: 3 groups, each identifying tools related to specific area of digital competence, group change 2 times to supplement the list of tools

- computer, beamer, internet

- flip chart- ppt presentation- training material

2

60 mins Barriers to use digital tools in practice: Fears and

obstacles that are preventing us to use the tools in practice

Learners personal worries

Facilitator:- Facilitate group work: Pro &

con discussion (each group draw lots for digital tools and prepares arguments for and against the use of selected tools in business)

- Summarize key fears and obstacles to use the tools in practice

Learner:- Listen, discuss, cooperate- Identify own worries that

stops them to use the tools by reviewing Personal Development Plan (personal reflection task)

- flip chart- computer, beamer,

internet- case examples?- ppt presentation- training material

30 mins Conclusion Facilitator:- facilitates exercise on

“advising about digital tools” (recommending appropriate tools and describing benefits for the selected case in relation to business function and digital competence area)

- Summarize the content- Highlight key benefits- Facilitate reflection round

(what was interesting, new, useful)

Learner:- Cooperate in exercise –

prepare the advice- Reflect on the module topic

- Case study scenarios (SME’s with needs in specific business area)

- computer, beamer, internet

- ppt presentation- training material

Module Assessment and EvaluationModule outcome Assessment & Evaluation methods

1. Illustrate knowledge of a range of tools and their potential benefits to business, within an integrated strategy

On-line questionnaire - multiple choice question

2. Demonstrate the functionality of the (various) tools in order to how they can benefit the entrepreneur increasing sales, business efficiencies and being more

On-line questionnaire – open question (description)

3

competitive3. Determine the

advantages and disadvantages of the various online media options and platforms for inclusion in a suitable digital media strategy

On-line questionnaire - multiple choice question

4. Empathize with the learner and their context of ICT (barriers; fears; lack of understanding) through clear understanding of functionality of (various) tools

On-line questionnaire - multiple choice question

5. Articulate the potential and benefit of a strategic use of (various) digital tools

On-line questionnaire - open question (description)

6. Demonstrate a practical understanding of the issues inherent with 7 Digital Competences.

On-line questionnaire - multiple choice question

Check! Each module should include the following elements: Introduction – why this topic is important Key concepts – underpinning this topic Activities – a range of learning activities and tasks Scenarios / case studies – to demonstrate the real–life application of this topic / relevance to

the entrepreneur Links to online solutions – accessible country- relevant digital solutions Sources of further information – including references and links

4